A brand new update will be deployed forFortnitelater today (October 19) and will bring the game to version 18.21, which will include the next stage of Fortnitemares.
Today’s update will be available for all platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, and Android Devices. However, today’s update comes as a surprise to many, as Epic Games usually only deploy major content updates every few weeks, with the next expected to be v18.30 within the next week or two.
But to celebrate the upcoming Fortnitemares Event for Halloween, Epic Games will be deploying v18.21 later today with some short server downtime. So, here’s everything you need to know about the October 19Fortniteupdate, including when the servers are expected to be back online.
When WillFortniteServers Be Back Up?(October 19)
UPDATE:Server downtime for update v18.21 has now ended and theFortniteservers are back online!
ORIGINAL STORY:As mentioned previously, today’s update will come with some short server downtime in order to deploy v18.21 to all platforms. According to the officialFortniteStatus Twitter account, servers will be taken offline at1AM PT / 4AM ET / 9AM BST, with matchmaking being disabled 30 minutes prior to this.
Although a time was not given for when the servers will be back online, downtime usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours. There’s no way to know for certain, but as today’s update will likely be smaller than usual, downtime may only last for an hour.
Once theFortniteservers are back online, we will update this article.
Fortnitev18.21 Update Details & Patch Notes
Below you will find the officialpatch notesfor the October 19Fortniteupdate, which now brings the game to version 18.21.
THE CUBE QUEEN SEIZES CONTROL
The Cube Queenâs emergence brings changes to the Island.ÂÂSince Fortnitemares began (and even before), the Cubes have been mobilizing. Their migration towards the Islandâs center wasnât just to spread corruption â theyâre now at the center formingÂThe Convergence. What is the purpose of this mysterious structure?
Youâve come across the Cubes and fought back the Cube Monsters, but a new force has joined their ranks:ÂCaretakers are The Cube Queenâs strongest warriors yet. Tall, foreboding, shadowy apparitions, their spectral tendrils pull you directly into The Sideways for a showdown on their home turf. Survive a Caretakerâs assault and youâll walk away all the richer.
Things donât end there. The Cube Queenâs wrath has given rise to a new Sideways weapon â the sinisterÂSideways Scythe â as well as returning items like Witch Brooms and the Pumpkin Rocket Launcher. Use the Scythe and these wicked supplies to hold your own in battle.
HORDE RUSH RETURNS
Horde Rush is back! The Cube Monsters are pushing out of the Sideways and into our realm. Fight alongside your teammates to rack up your score by finding score multipliers, earning combos, and eliminating as many monsters as you can. To win, survive at locations across the map and take down the Final Boss!
The Horde Rush LTM will be live from October 19 at 9 AM ET to November 2 at 9 AM ET, but not just on its own. Thereâll also beÂHorde Rush Quests you can complete for special rewards! Unlock theÂThinking Juice Back Bling, aÂCube Queen Banner, and theÂCuddle Scream Leader Spray.
Also, be on the lookout for aÂHorde Rush Tournament this week with more Locker items to earn! Practice the mode with your squad ahead of time to prepare. More details will be available soon in a blog post and the Compete tab in-game.
HELP AN ORACLE, ARIANA GRANDE, AND A GHOSTBUSTER FOR SPECIAL REWARDS
The Horde Rush Quests are just some of the Wrath of The Cube Queen Quests, and the Horde Rush rewards are just some of the rewards! Available from October 19 at 9 AM ET to November 2 at 9 AM ET, Hollowhead will present you theÂFortnitemares Punchcard. Here are its objectives and rewards!Â1. Complete general Fortnitemares Quests to unlock theÂRavenâs Curse Spray, theÂMidnight Showdown Loading Screen, andÂWrathful Breakout Contrail.
Ariana Grande has returned to the Island, but now in new gear ready to take down monsters. âSpacefarer Ariana Grande,â the galaxyâs greatest monster hunter, is inviting you to join her hunt. Complete herÂMonster Hunter Questline to unlock the newÂAll-Weather Extractor Pickaxe (Dark Style)!
Scrolls tell of the Spirit Vessel, a powerful artifact that can restore Dark Jonesyâs visions. Help Dark Jonesy in hisÂThe Oracle Speaks Questline to unlock theÂCube Cruiser Glider, an unfolded Cube you can ride on!
Hollowheadâs Punchcard wonât be the only Punchcard going live at 9 AM ET, thoughâ¦With Containment SpecialistâsGhostbusters: AfterlifePunchard, deploy Seismographs, take out mini-Pufts, and more to unlock the No Ghost Back Bling â inspired by the upcomingGhostbusters: Afterlifefilm.
PUNCHCARDS PACK A PUNCH + POWER LEVELING WEEKENDS RETURN!
Not just in Fortnitemares, Daily and Weekly Punchcards have been expanded and reworked, now offering additional objectives andÂmore XPÂ for each completion. Weâve replaced the âSpend Barsâ and âPlace Top 10 with Friendsâ Quests with new Quests that rotate weekly. Each Daily Punchcard reward has recently been upgraded to 45,000 XP (previously 30,000 XP), while completing Quests in your Weekly Punchcard rewards 75,000 XP (previously 50,000 XP).ÂTo help celebrate Fortnitemares 2021, twoÂPower Leveling WeekendsÂare coming soon! Log in fromÂOctober 22 at 7 PM ET - October 25 at 7 AM ETÂ andÂOctober 29 at 7 PM ET - November 1 at 7 AM ETÂ to unlock a Supercharged XP bonus and level up faster whenever you play. This supercharged pool is free to use at your leisure, but you can only get it during the Power Leveling Weekend.
Wrath of The Cube Queen wraps up at 9 AM ET on November 2, but The Cube Queenâs wrath wonât subside. The Sideways Scythe (and Caretakers) will remain, and The Convergence will evolve…ÂAlso, Wrath of The Cube Queen isnât the final piece of Fortnitemares 2021. Stay tuned for details onÂShortnitemares, featuring ghoulish animated shorts in a special in-game theater.Â
